“Weverse Knock-Off!” Fourth-Generation Girl Group’s New “Lackluster” Lightstick Design Upsets Fans

One of the biggest parts of K-Pop culture is lightsticks. When idols get their own design, it allows them to showcase their love for the groups at concerts and shows.

BTS’s RM and Jungkook with the ARMY Bomb | BIGHIT MUSIC BLACKPINK’s Lisa with their group lightstick SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu with the CARATBONG version 3 | Pledis Entertainment

Recently, fourth-generation girl group WEEEKLY released their new lightstick design, but it disappointed many fans.

The members of WEEEKLY | @_weeekkly/Twitter

Since debuting, WEEEKLY has been seen as one of the most underrated groups.

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On November 14 (KST), the X account for WEEEKLY released the design of their new official lightstick. The sleek white design has a glitter dome with a “W” inside.

It became a hot topic on the Korean forum theqoo as fans compared it to a “Weverse Lightstick.” Yet, it wasn’t just fans in Korea who were disappointed. When the tweet was shared online…

[#위클리]
무엇이든 We do, 어디라도 We go
함께 만들어 가는 우리만의 Daileee

Weeekly OFFICIAL LIGHT STICK
Coming Soon#Weeekly pic.twitter.com/Nt0OWIof2E

— Weeekly (위클리) (@_Weeekly) November 14, 2023

In the quotes, while many netizens also saw a “Weverse Knock-Off,” many just voiced their disappointment about waiting three years for a lightstick and being given such a plain design.

Weeeverse Bong https://t.co/UpzSzs8b4t pic.twitter.com/EeVk8PyAHt

— WeeeklyFD (@WeeeklyFD) November 14, 2023

3 years and a group with a literal and figurative universe to go through for ideas of a lightstick and you make a logo in ball… https://t.co/bm7lwfwaHM

— ant ????WEEEKLY VROOM VROOM (@jiyoonietunes) November 14, 2023

oh not the weverse dupe.. pic.twitter.com/ijjbVQLlPg https://t.co/itzx0QZDFg

— talya⋆ (@SUPERMODELRICKY) November 14, 2023

like i dont know how ist manages to keep finding new ways to DISAPPOINT me like its impressive at this point… https://t.co/LBvN4nimng

— ???????????????? VROoM VROoM (@itsapinkweeek) November 14, 2023

Others pointed out that other IST groups, including VICTON, APINK, and THE BOYZ, all had beautiful lightstick designs, and it felt like WEEEKLY were being given the short end of the stick. For them, it felt like a downgrade, whether it was the colors, designs, or the fact it didn’t represent the members’ identity.

ist groups are known for having unique ls designs. what is this downgrade for weeekly? smh https://t.co/UeeByO6iCS pic.twitter.com/VRcLvvHgt9

— mei (@mlnsne) November 14, 2023

Some tried to stay positive to see the basic design as something they could customize, but it wasn’t surprising that many were angry after waiting so long.

im gonna try and stay positive and think about all the different ways i could decorate this https://t.co/yY7k8tGMUh pic.twitter.com/c5Wp3j2MhH

— arlie parlie ᵕ̈ (@ilyuiyui) November 14, 2023

Lightsticks are a huge part of K-Pop culture, with each one meant to represent the group and fandom in a special way. Many WEEEKLY fans believe the members deserve more respect and thought when creating such an integral piece of merchandise.